A.A. Hijmans van den Bergh medical faculty

The faculty building forms the corner to the existing Academic Hospital of Utrecht. The building volume seeks to strengthen the existing entrance area of the hospital complex. In addition it needs to retain an independent building identity within the complex and also to form part of the University campus. On a gross floor area of approximately 14.500 m2, the building consists of three parts: office space, classrooms with individual workspaces and a restaurant. In both the office and education areas, flexible work environments are provided where different teaching scenarios can occur. In the centre of the building are three glass voids, which allow sunlight into the building. They connect the public areas in the building with the education floors and are visible from throughout the building. The cones integrate the load bearing structure and serve as large ventilation shafts. The crystal glass shapes thus form a technical backbone as well as the atmospherical heart of the building.